Blog Archives
Wishes Are Free
Diana Mercedes Howell’s novel Wishes Are Free: Rose O’Reilly and Grandpa is a delightful blend of magical elements and realistic storytelling. Howell’s narrative style is engaging, painting a vivid picture where the fantastical becomes tangible. Her attention to detail brings characters to life, particularly in the portrayal of the relationship between Rose and her grandfather, which serves as the emotional core of the story.
The book’s narrative is fluid and connects well with readers, gracefully weaving through a series of whimsical events. Howell strikes a fine balance between sentimentality and humor, adding layers to the story that make it both relatable and captivating. This book exemplifies Howell’s adeptness in creating an enchanting story, leaving readers with a sense of anticipation for future works from this gifted author. Howell’s writing is straightforward yet rich, making the book accessible to a broad audience. The focus on the bond between a young girl and her grandfather is a refreshing element in contemporary fiction. This relationship is central to the narrative, guiding the plot through its various twists and keeping the reader engaged. The themes of friendship, love, and coming of age are woven throughout the story, making it particularly appealing to young readers.
Wishes Are Free: Rose O’Reilly and Grandpa is an excellent choice for parents looking for suitable reading material for children. The book’s structure, with its short chapters, is ideal for bedtime stories or as an engaging read for young independent readers. The optimistic tone, endearing characters, and light-hearted humor make it a great pick for family reading sessions. Furthermore, this heartwarming tale is an excellent choice for gifting, suitable for occasions like baby showers. It’s a wonderful read that is sure to bring joy and warmth to its readers.
Pages: 236 | ASIN : B0BFCCJH7H
Jesus Take the Wheel
In Jesus Take the Wheel, Gina Kirkland masterfully explores the transformative power of prayer, presenting a narrative that resonates deeply with both adults and young children. As readers follow the journey of a woman whose day veers off course, Kirkland skillfully illustrates how prayer can lead one back to the right path, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This theme taps into a universal sentiment, offering comfort and understanding to anyone who has experienced the chaos of a day gone awry.
Kirkland’s narrative is both poignant and relatable, effectively conveying the message that each challenge is a stepping stone in a larger, divine journey. The book is a testament to the author’s ability to connect with her audience through themes of faith and trust. The illustrations are nothing short of mesmerizing, adding an artistic depth that enhances the reader’s experience. They don’t just accompany the text; they enrich it, offering a visual feast that speaks volumes in itself.
The choice of rhyme is particularly striking, transforming the reading experience into an engaging and rhythmic journey, especially appealing to young readers. This stylistic choice not only makes the book accessible but also adds a layer of charm and whimsy.
Jesus Take the Wheel is a comforting companion for those days filled with unpredictability and challenges. Kirkland has not only written an engaging story but has also crafted an experience that is both uplifting and grounding, reminding readers of all ages of the steady hand of faith guiding them through life’s tumultuous journey.
Pages: 31 | ASIN : B0CNNCDWK8
Turquoise Tail
Turquoise Tail, authored by Rachel Bate and illustrated by Rebecca Jacob, presents a engaging narrative set in the animal kingdom. The protagonist, a coyote pup named Cielo, is born with an unusual turquoise tail, setting her apart from her peers. This difference becomes a central theme as Cielo encounters various challenges, including ridicule from Leroy, a lizard, and others in her community. The story thoughtfully explores themes of discrimination and bullying, resonating with societal issues that extend beyond the confines of its pages.
The book is a testament to the enduring appeal of children’s literature, which often captures complex topics through accessible storytelling. Bate’s narrative is straightforward yet effective, allowing readers of all ages to engage with Cielo’s emotional journey. The simplicity of the language is a notable strength, making the story relatable. Rebecca Jacob’s illustrations complement the narrative beautifully, enhancing the storytelling with vivid imagery. The choice of colors and artistic style add depth to the characters and settings, creating charming images that help convey the story’s emotional nuances.
Turquoise Tail is not just a story about overcoming adversity; it’s a reminder of the importance of embracing individuality and fostering inclusivity. While primarily aimed at young readers, its themes and presentation make it a delightful read for adults as well. The book serves as a wonderful tool for connecting with children, offering both entertainment and valuable life lessons.
Rachel Bate’s creation, paired with Rebecca Jacob’s artistic contributions, makes Turquoise Tail a meaningful addition to any child’s library. It’s a book that promises not just a captivating reading experience but also an opportunity for young minds to learn and grow. Turquoise Tail is an invitation to engage in conversations about diversity, acceptance, and the beauty of being unique.
Page: 38 | ISBN : 978-1684019885
Explore Courage and Bravery
The Adventures of Danny the Discus follows a spirited discus fish named Danny, who seeks to understand his new world while navigating the challenges of acceptance and survival in a diverse aquatic community. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration came from my childhood experiences of being bullied and learning to stand up for what I believe in. At a young age, I went from being bullied at school to growing taller than most children at a young age and protecting those children around me from being bullied themselves. In addition, I am a Discus Fish hobbyist, and I thought it would be great to put my knowledge of the hobby into a children’s book that would also teach kids about the discus fish but also incorporate my country’s culture and moral values.
The artwork in the book was charming. What was the collaboration process like with illustrator Wazim Mohammed?
Well, the collaboration with Johnny Hossain, who was the illustrator was fantastic; he was able to capture what I had in my mind in terms of the storyboards to tell this wonderful story. The communication was excellent with little rework, so it was a joy to work with him.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main themes in my book look at the spirit of adventure, explore courage and bravery, and have a moral lesson at the end, which I believe is important for children to learn.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book is The Adventures of Danny the Discus Volume 2 – Love of a Mother. It’s available now on Amazon and was published in October 2023. This book was meant as a tribute to all mothers and was inspired by my mother, who I lost in April 2023. Currently working on my third book in the series, which will be available in 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Promote Empathy and Inclusion
May I Sit at Your Table? follows a second-grade girl who is deaf and experiences a transformative moment when her teacher introduces American Sign Language, sparking her goal to connect with her peers. Why was this an important book for you to write?
At one of my brother’s neurodiverse basketball games, I experienced a pivotal moment. While signing “hello” and “good job” to a Deaf teammate on my brother’s team, his father, moved to tears, approached me and shared how meaningful it was to see someone communicate with his son. This encounter inspired me to become fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and the culture. I’ve always been concerned about bullying and exclusion, and my research disclosed that Deaf children are often victims. I wanted a book that would promote empathy and inclusion of this ostracized community.
The art in the book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Samuel Gross?
Thank you for your kind comment! It was truly a work of love. Sam is my brother. He is 14 years older than me, and he suffers from autism. I worked with him in creating the sketches for the book by reading the book to him over and over and then explaining the specific storyline on each page. He then would interpret those events and draw the scene in pencil. It’s fascinating to watch him draw because he holds the pencil in his fist and never picks the pencil off the page when drawing. It’s also amazing to see the world through his eyes. I then traced the drawings in pen and added color and shading.
Doing the illustrations was one of the highlights of Sam’s life. It has bolstered his self-esteem and brought him great happiness. It has also brought us closer together.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My book is more than a children’s book; it’s a social story about how to accept people who are different. Here, a young Deaf girl is ostracized by her peers because she is seen as “different.” It’s my belief that these actions are simply a result of a lack of knowledge. I wanted to show that educating grade school children about diverse communication styles fosters empathy and teaches inclusiveness.
Another key theme is that exclusion often occurs in less supervised settings like school lunchrooms.
Finally, I wanted to explore the often-private nature of the pain caused by exclusion. Children, like the character Abby in my book, may feel reluctant to express their hurt and only confide in their families. Abby’s experience highlights the importance of attentive and caring teachers who can recognize and address such issues, offering support where it’s needed most.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book has already been published. It is titled, May I Come to Your Party? and is about a young boy who suffers from autism and is never invited to parties, and he invites everyone to his birthday parties, but no one ever comes. Here is an Amazon link: May I Come to Your Party? I also have a website with more information: Grace Wolf Books
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
The story beautifully captures the transformation that comes with understanding and acceptance, underscoring the importance of empathy, inclusivity, and embracing our unique attributes. May I Sit at Your Table? leaves readers with the important message that everyone, no matter how they communicate, deserves to be heard, seen, and accepted.
A Strong Moral Lesson
In The Adventures of Captain Polo, readers embark on a journey with a polar bear as he travels the world discovering the devastating impact of climate change. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Climate change is a global problem, yet there are local effects, and also in many cases, local solutions. I wanted to depict this somehow, so very early on when drafting the script, I knew this book was going to be framed as a global odyssey. In the course of my research, I was lucky enough to talk to prominent climate professionals, such as the late Saleem Huq, who enlightened me on very specific aspects to consider, mostly from the perspective of the global south. This inspired me, as did also my own background as a person who has lived mostly in the developing world, and I also drew inspiration from my professional experience in conservation, which has exposed me to the problems faced by wildlife, as well as by local communities. Many of these problems are made worse by global warming, and those who suffer the immediate effects of this are those who are least responsible for the problem. Researching all this under a climate lens basically determined the exact geographical route Captain Polo follows.
However the story also needed to be engaging; inspiration for the fiction, adventure, and comedy inherent in the book come from my own reading while growing up – mostly TinTin and Asterix albums, with a few nods here and there to Lucky Luke and even post-war British cartoonist Carl Giles.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to young readers?
There are several such scenes, but one that stands out for me is the scene where Captain Polo meets a boatload of emigrating Kiribati islanders fleeing their island home in a desperate gamble to find asylum in New Zealand. This scene reflects a very real truth facing the Small Island Nations in the Pacific region, and it is a perfect example of climate injustice: small island nations are literally being flooded by rising sea levels entirely caused by global warming entirely caused by large, developed or emergent economy countries very far away. For this reason, there is a strong moral lesson to be read in this scene: those who are least responsible for global warming are the very same who pay the highest and most immediate price. This theme is actually present throughout the book and its sequels, and it serves as a bridge between the reality faced by Captain Polo as a polar bear whose Arctic home is literally melting beneath his feet and a great number of human communities around the world who face similar challenges as a result of glacial ice melt raising sea levels the thereby causing catastrophic flooding. As such, climate justice – or rather, injustice – serves to establish a bond between the main character and the various people he encounters.
What made you decide to write Captain Polo’s story as a graphic novel?
Graphic novels are the format I specialize in because I am actually a cartoonist rather than an author of prose per se; my ability to draw cartoons largely predetermines the format of my storytelling. I believe it gives me an edge I would not normally have over prose authors telling the same story, and at the same time, I suspect most graphic novelists would not have my scientific inclinations, interests, or knowledge to tell a story about climate change. It is this sweet spot combining art and science that defines my niche style. The graphic novel format also allows for near-constant visual movement and a dynamic dialogue and narrative, which is necessary to give the story a fast pace. This fast pace represents an unspoken sense of urgency – “the world is burning, we need to do something, NOW.” The graphic novel format crucially also lends itself to the use of visual humour, which is my most important style indicator, and I believe important for my target readers, especially when addressing a subject as grim as climate change.
Can you give readers a peek into the second installment of Captain Polo’s adventures?
In Book 2 of the Adventures of Captain Polo – Polo and the Yeti – the story continues where Book 1 ended. Spoiler alert: Captain Polo escapes his captors and crosses China before entering the mysterious realm of Tibet and beyond. This part of the trilogy is perhaps even more fast-paced than Book 1, and I allowed myself to have a bit of fun with some of the characters!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
At the beginning of his life-changing journey, the bear is hungry, frightened and alone, drifting further and further from an Arctic home that is changing in ways he cannot comprehend. But the bear without a name survives, and as he travels the world, meeting colourful characters both human and non-human and getting into all sorts of adventures, he gradually begins to understand a reality he never knew existed. The bear who will become Captain Polo realises he is not alone in seeking answers.
The Climate Change Comic is a fast-paced graphic novel depicting accurate geographical settings and detailed, colourful illustrations designed to make learning about a complex and frightening subject positive, easy and fun. In this first book of the series, readers as young as 9 will be swept into a global journey of discovery that will help them understand some of the causes and effects of the most critical environmental crisis in human history, what people are doing about it, and how each one of us can make a difference – wherever we live, and whoever we are.
Our children are facing an existential crisis in the form of ecological collapse and global climate change, but they don’t have to stay confused and anxious. Instead, give them what they want: understanding and actionable knowledge empowering them to become agents of positive change at home and at school. This is the mission of Captain Polo.
Get the first book of the series now!
Pippin’s Space Adventure (A Poodle Called Pippin)
Pippin’s Space Adventure by Julia Seaborn is a delightful tale that whisks young readers on an imaginative journey through the cosmos. The story follows the curious Pippin, a poodle with a passion for stargazing, and his friend Blossom the Possum. Each night, Pippin dreams of traversing the universe, leading to a dream sequence where he finds himself aboard a spaceship, accompanied by Jelly, a friendly monster who turns out to be Pippin’s own stuffed toy.
Seaborn’s narrative is both captivating and educational, striking a balance between whimsy and learning. The adventure is filled with close encounters, like skillfully navigating through asteroid fields, which keeps the pace lively and engaging. This book’s charm is further enhanced by its vibrant illustrations that vividly bring the story to life, reminiscent of watching a cartoon. A unique aspect of this book is its educational content. Lessons about space, including the solar system, planets, and shooting stars, are seemingly woven into the narrative. This informative approach makes Pippin’s Space Adventure a delightful read and a valuable educational resource suitable for classroom settings. The book concludes with a thoughtful addition – a section aimed at testing the readers’ comprehension. This, along with a bonus coloring page, invites young readers to interact with the story beyond just reading, enhancing their engagement and understanding.
Julia Seaborn’s Pippin’s Space Adventure is a charming, imaginative, and informative read that will captivate and educate young minds, making it a worthy addition to any child’s bookshelf or classroom library.
Pages: 33 | ASIN : B0CNST69WL
I Must Write This Book!
Andrew Conquers the Court: Inspired by a True Story follows a young boy who fails to make the basketball team and sets out to find out why and how to improve so he can do better next year. What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write this book?
As an educator of almost 30 years, I have used many children’s books in my classroom to help teach various concepts to children. So, it was many years ago that I had the idea of writing my own children’s book someday. However, it wasn’t until I decided to leave the education field that the book started to take shape. First, I watched my son, Andrew (who the main character in the story is based on), go through a big disappointment in his life and rise from that disappointment to success with hard work and determination. As an educator, I know how important books are in children’s lives and many children have gone through the same thing that Andrew went through. I started thinking about how his story could turn into a book to help other kids. Then when other parents and teachers kept saying to me, “Andrew has a great story” and “I tell Andrew’s story to my class every year”, I thought this is it! I must write this book!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Eva Morales?
I was so fortunate to work with Eva Morales. After seeing her work, she was my first choice to illustrate the story. Luckily, she was available! Since she lives in Spain, and I live in New York State we corresponded through email. The story in the book, Andrew Conquers the Court, was inspired by real-life events, so I was able to send her photos of the people and places in the story. She took those photos and made the story as it was written come to life! It was honestly one of my favorite parts of writing the book. Eva is such a talent, and I hope to work with her again in the future.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted the children who read the book to know that Andrew’s story can be their story! Perseverance, resilience, and believing in yourself were the important ideas that I wanted to share in this book. Even though we used the sport of basketball to relay these ideas, it could be replaced with another sport or activity that students are involved in. When things don’t go our way in life, we can choose to give up or try harder and get better.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Andrew Conquers the Court launched in November 2023, so right now, I am enjoying meeting with students and parents to spread the message about this story. So I have not started my next book yet, but I am definitely thinking about it! My other son, Sean, is a junior in high school, and I would love to share a story about him in the future. I just don’t know what his story is yet. I will be sure to keep everyone posted on my next book and upcoming events on my website.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Thank you for trying out for the school basketball team.
I am sorry to let you know that you did not make the team.
I hope you will continue to work hard and try out again next year.
– Coach
Devastated, Andrew wonders if he should give up on basketball altogether or wait to try out again next year. The choice is his, but it won’t be easy. Follow Andrew through this inspirational story based on real-life events as he learns what it takes to make the team.
LITERARY TITAN 